Partnership praised for finding missing toddler

Andrew Coulson

Northumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, today thanked police and partners for their help in finding a two-year-old girl.

The toddler was taken from a store in Newcastle on Wednesday. She was later found in the Gosforth area.

Mrs Baird said: "None of us can imagine the distress the family and the toddler were going through. As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am proud of all our staff and partners who helped in the search."

The toddler was found in just over an hour after being reported to the police.

Mrs Baird said: "Partnership working has proven so effective - the police, retail staff, council employees and the transport network, Newcastle University and Nexus have delivered. Northumbria Police coordinated this operation quickly and effectively and enabled the toddler to be quickly tracked down and reunited with her mam.

"Clearly a good job was done by many and as the public's representative for policing I'm proud of how the North East came together at a difficult time."